Creative Jobs: Second Half of 2014 Brings Greater Opportunities

The second half of the year remains a good time for creatives in the job market. TCG's latest research shows steady hiring and plentiful opportunities – especially in agency settings.

Whether you're just coming down from the excitement of graduation and embarking on your first job search, or in the market for a new gig, the employment outlook is positive for the creative set. In particular, 12 percent of advertising and marketing executives surveyed said they expect to expand their teams.

Take a look at additional key findings from the research:

The hiring freeze is thawing. Twelve percent of executives anticipate hiring freezes, down 10 points from the first half of 2014. This means more companies will be filling critical vacancies on their teams. If you're looking to land work, follow up on creative jobs you applied for earlier in the year but didn't hear back from.

Aim for the middle. Midsize agencies – those with 50-99 employees – are in hot pursuit of talent. Twenty-six percent of executives at these organizations say they plan to add staff in the next six months. However, 40 percent said it is somewhat or very challenging to find the talent they seek. Make it easier for hiring managers to find you by crafting targeted cover letters and resumes for creative jobs that interest you.

Hiring hot spots.Account services topped our list as the most in-demand area to fill in the next six months, closely followed by brand/product management and media services. Take a look at the infographic below for additional specialties in demand.

Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group, sees overall job growth in the creative industry. "Companies are investing more in marketing and advertising initiatives and are often turning to outside vendors for help," she said. "As a result, agencies are hiring full-time and project staff to keep up with expanding client needs. While professionals with digital expertise continue to be in demand, agencies are also actively looking to fill traditional roles, like account directors and account managers."

What kind of talent do you seek? Or, if you're in the job market, where are you looking? Will these findings change your strategy? Leave a comment below.